PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Furious Comeback Falls Short

Published on July 28, 2019 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


Great Falls, MT - Down by seven runs going into the top of the ninth inning, all seemed set in terms of the game's result. Yet the Chukars roared back, scoring six in the ninth and getting the tying run to third. Yet they could not seal the deal, as Rigo Fernandez struck out Tyler James with the bases loaded to end the game. The Chukars are now 0-2 to start the second half.

The Chukars got their offense going right away, as Jose Marquez began the game with a single. Clay Dungan took his place at first after a fielders choice, and Rhett Aplin then walked. Isaiah Henry singled to left with two out, scoring Dungan, and Ismaldo Rodriguez immediately followed with a bloop single to left, plating Aplin.

Great Falls got a run back in the bottom of the first, as Harvin Mendoza tripled with two out, and scored on a fielding error on a fly ball hit to center by Lency Delgado.

Idaho Falls got the run back and more in the third, as Dungan started the inning with a single, and Aplin reached on a fielding error from Delgado. Michael Emodi then doubled to left, scoring Dungan and moving Aplin to third. After Voyagers starter Jason Morgan struck out Henry, Rodriguez delivered a run with a sacrifice fly to center, making it 4-1 Chukars.

From there though, the wheels fell off for the Chukars. A one out single in the fourth from Kleyder Sanchez got to third on consecutive wild pitches and a ground out, but the fifth inning is where the train went off the tracks. Great Falls scored six in the inning, with the first eight of the frame reaching. 12 Voyagers hit in the inning, as they opened up an 8-4 lead.

Great Falls added on three in the seventh inning, as with the bases loaded & two outs, Lency Delgado hit a fly ball to center that Henry lost in the lights, plating all three to make it 11-4.

The score remained 11-4 going into the ninth, but with Nick Johnson coming on, the Chukars offense hit the gas pedal. Idaho Falls got the first run with four straight singles to start the inning, and Dungan walked with the bases packed to force home a second run, ending the night for Johnson. Fernandez came in and struck out Aplin, but Emodi then doubled home two to make it 11-8, bring the tying run to the plate. Henry was that run, and he walked to re-load the bases. A wild pitch brought home the ninth run, and Rodriguez then hit a sac fly to make it 11-10. Pinch hitter Juan Carlos Negret singled to move Henry into scoring position, and Kember Nacero then singled to move Henry to third and Negret, the go ahead run, to second. Tyler James needed to reach to extend the game, but he struck out, giving Great Falls the narrow 11-10 victory.

Tomorrow the Chukars finish their 11 game road trip with a 4 PM matchup with the Voyagers. You can listen to the broadcast on ESPN 980 The Sports Zone or online via the TuneIn App.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pioneer League Stories from July 28, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central